Attractive. Educated. Independent. Sweet. Confident. Compassionate.
(I just described most of my exes. Hell, I just described me.)

Minimal baggage. Career. Non smoker. Social or not Drinker. Been in long term relationship. Classy.
(Still got most of my exes, a few eliminated, i’m still there)

Knows how to cook. Hair stays done. Always groomed. Puts it down in the sheets. Sense of style. Body’s stacked.
(Still got some of my exes…no self respecting man will call themselves stacked, that’s where I bow out.)

5’9 and under. In shape. Knows how to defer to a man. No trust issues. Diversified interests. Mentally stimulating. Great chemistry.
(I’m hearing chatter…now who do I think I am, what am I bringing to the table)

Low maintenance. Good with hanging out at home. Understands discretion. Can make lasagna. Open minded in the bedroom. Wants kids. Fiscally responsible.
(This negreaux think he Idris or something…)

Standards are funny, as are the people love/hate them. No one ever has issue with standards unless it inconveniences them. I don’t care that if you’re only chasing 6’4 lightskinned dudes you’re going to miss out on great guys, I care that I’m not 6’4 or lightskinned and I will never be, therefore I’m not invited to that table. I didn’t want to sit there but now that I can’t, suddenly I want to sit there? For who, for what? My list was very p.c, however if I got my mac on (You ever read something you wrote years ago and roll your eyes at how lame you were…this was one of those times) and said I want an exotic chick, hourglass figure, all natural…sistas would come for my head. Reason #1, they’ll be damned if I don’t want them even if they don’t want me cuz…principality. Reason #2, who the hell am I to have such strong demands.

As you get older, and still single suddenly your standards are too blame. The Beast could’ve let Belle just go have brunch with her girls and they would’ve told her that he’s tall AND has a whole castle, dont. block. ya. blessings. and she’d probably go right back. Men don’t get it nearly as hard, I can probably hand wring myself to loneliness until at least 33. Men aren’t told they are being unreasonable, or they are expecting perfection even when they are. I have a homeboy who for the most part splurges on instajawns and to my knowledge never had an actual girlfriend. I’m sure his mama might ask, but no one else cares.

Your standards represent you, your priorities, your traits, your aspirations. It shows if you’re looking to just be treated good, f cked right, or want an actual relationship. It shows your self confidence and what you believe you bring to the table. Women say that men are constantly pestering them to lower their standards to accommodate them; I’m actually the opposite, show me you demand all that. This goes both ways, you can’t be all over the club scene and social media and then demand someone who isn’t all over the club scene and social media. You can’t demand a woman who’s cultured when all you watch is sports and action movies. You can’t demand a man with his own place and a car when you staying at a homegirl’s and working part time. I mean you can demand but spoiler alert, it won’t work out well for you. Those independent, ambitious people you seek…well, they want other independent ambitious people.
There has to be some accountability for who you choose to let into your life, who you expect to come into your life and how they’re treated when they’re there. The time spent on people who aren’t on “your level” adds up. It’s a lesson I’m still learning, my phone just full of women who I know weren’t what I was looking for, but #Ihaveneeds. I can’t be taken seriously if I’m not taking my own standards seriously. I know what I want and I’m not settling for less (maybe a few things, the lasagna game is non negotiable tho), in the meantime I #minuswhale use my time as productively as possible so I become the offer she can’t refuse.
-Stan-